Method and apparatus for placing a long distance call based on a virtual phone number

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for reducing the cost of long distance phone calls is disclosed. Accordingly, an originating phone network is operatively connected to a first intermediate point, and a receiving phone network is operatively connected to a second intermediate point. Each intermediate point is operatively connected to communicate via a data network. Users on the originating and destination phone networks may communicate based on virtual numbers. The virtual number is preferably within the local calling area of the originating phone network. The first and second intermediate points route calls to any geographic location, regardless of distance, over the data network based on the virtual number. This provides the advantage of allowing a user on the originating phone network to access a user at a distant location for a price that is substantially similar to the price of a local call.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to long distance phone calls. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatusfor minimizing the cost of making a long distance phone call.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional phone systems include local carriers and long distancecarriers. Local carriers connect calls within a given local area, whilelong distance carriers carry calls between the local carriers. Thetelephone lines from a home or office connect directly to a wire center,which is often referred to as a central office. The central office hasone or more switches, which route or direct telephone calls from onedestination to another.

Telephone numbers typically include an area code, and a seven digittelephone number. The seven digit telephone number includes a threedigit central office number, and four digit central office extension.The three digit central office number directs calls to a particularcentral office. Once the call reaches the desired central office, thefour digit extension directs the call to a line that is served by thatcentral office. Area codes are typically used for long distance phonecalls, as discussed below.

Local telephone calls within a small area are often completed within asingle central office. In this configuration, calls within the same areaare served by the same central office. The central office connects theincoming call to the destination number. If the area is larger however,communication with a second central office may be necessary. The twocentral offices are typically connected by a trunk, which is a linebetween the central offices. The destination receives the call from thefirst central office and then directs it to the appropriate destination,based on the dialed phone number.

Each area code, as mentioned above, corresponds to a particular group ofcentral offices. When a user dials an area code and then the seven digittelephone number, the central office analyzes the dialed number. If thedialed number is located within the Local Transport and Access Area(LATA), then the call is directed to the appropriate central office. ALATA, or local calling area, is typically a contiguous geographic area.If the dialed number is outside of the LATA, the local central officechecks its database to determine which long distance company the userhas selected for making the call. The local central office then switchesthe call to lines that are connected to the long distance company'snearest switch, often referred to as a point of presence (POP). Once thelong distance company receives the call, it analyzes the phone numberand routes the call across the long distance network to the POP that isclosest to the called number. That POP routes the call back to a localcentral office that is near the destination phone, which then completesthe call as described above.

The local and long distance companies incur costs for the equipment,switching calls, and maintaining their equipment. All of these costs areeventually passed on to the consumer. Because local calls involve one ortwo switching stations owned by one company, the costs of a localtelephone call are typically low. Typically, a consumer pays a fixed feefor a unlimited amount of local calls. However, because long distancecalls are transferred from the local telephone company, to a longdistance carrier, and then back to a local telephone company, the costof a long distance call is greater than a local call. Typically, longdistance calls are charged by the minute. However, rates vary dependingon a number of factors, such as the number of switches between theoriginating and destination numbers and taxes. For example, longdistance calls between countries may be higher than long distance callswithin a given country.

A continuing need exists for a method and apparatus that is capable ofreducing the costs associated with long distance telephone calls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a method fortransmitting information between two or more points. The informationthat is transmitted can be, for example, a telephone call. The methodcomprises receiving a virtual number from at least one point on anoriginating network at a first intermediate point on a computer network.Then, based on the virtual number, a second intermediate point on thecomputer network is determined. The first and second intermediate pointsare preferably capable of communicating over the computer network.

Once the second intermediate point is determined, a connection isestablished between the second intermediate point and a point on thedestination network, based on the virtual number that was entered at theoriginating network. The first and second intermediate points then allowthe point on the originating network and the point on the destinationnetwork to communicate. That communication can, but does not need to,include converting information from the originating and destinationnetworks into a form suitable for transmission over the computernetwork.

In this embodiment, the virtual number can include, for example, an areacode that is within the local calling area of the point on theoriginating network. The point on the originating network may, but doesnot have to be, a telephone. The virtual number is assigned to the firstand second intermediate points, which may be servers, to allowcommunication between the originating point and the destination pointbased on a call routing table.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, data is preferablytransmitted over the computer network based on data packets, and data ispreferably transmitted over the originating and destination networks bytransmitting analog signals. In order to allow the originating user andthe destination user to communicate, the first and second intermediatepoints are preferably capable of converting analog signals into digitaldata that can be put into data packets, and vice versa.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises anapparatus for transmitting information between at least two points. Theapparatus includes at least one point on an originating network that iscapable of communicating with a first intermediate point based on atleast one virtual number. Also included is at least one point on adestination network capable of communicating with a second intermediatepoint based on the virtual number.

In one embodiment, the point on the originating network and the point onthe destination network are preferably telephones and the first andsecond intermediate points may be servers. A computer network isoperatively connected to the first and second server to allow thetelephones to communicate. The servers are preferably capable ofconverting information from the telephones into a form suitable fortransmission over the computer network.

In this embodiment, the virtual number can include, for example, an areacode that is within the local calling area of the originating telephone.The virtual number is assigned to the first and second servers to allowcommunication between the originating and destination telephones. Thefirst and second servers allow this communication based on call routingtables, which are preferably part of the servers.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, data from thetelephones is transmitted as analog signals, and data is transmittedover the computer network based on data packets. The servers can, but donot need to, be capable of analog to digital conversion, or digital toanalog conversion. This allows data from the telephones to betransmitted over the computer network as digital data in the form of,for example, data packets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention can be ascertained fromthe following detailed description that is provided in connection withthe drawings described below:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of an exemplary systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Increasingly, phone companies are using computer networks such as theInternet, to transport long distance calls from one destination toanother. Transferring voice calls over a data network is typicallyaccomplished by converting analog voice signals into data packets. Thisis typically, but not necessarily, accomplished using an industrystandard known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Transportingcalls over computer networks allows local phone companies to bypass longdistance carriers. Additionally, because computer networkinfrastructures are already in place, the cost of transporting callsover computer networks is greatly minimized.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for minimizing thecost of a long distance call by transporting voice traffic over computernetworks. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a methodand apparatus for transmitting voice information between originating anddestination points. The originating and destination points may include,but are not limited to, telephones, fax machines, pagers, computers, twoway radios, cellular telephones, or telephones operatively connected tothe public switched telephone network (PSTN). In a preferred embodiment,the originating and destination points are telephones operativelyconnected to the PSTN.

The two telephones can be, but do not have to be, operatively connectedto separate networks, and each network is operatively connected to itsown intermediate point. The intermediate points, which are preferablyoperatively connected by a computer network, allow the two telephoneusers to communicate based on the virtual number that is entered by theuser of the originating telephone.

The area code of the virtual number is preferably within the localcalling area of the originating telephone. In an exemplary embodiment,each virtual number is assigned to a destination telephone. Theassignment information is stored in a memory, and can be referenced todetermine which destination telephone number a virtual number isassigned to. The memory may, but does not have to be, operativelyconnected to the two intermediate points. Operatively connecting amemory to each of the two intermediate points allows the delay betweenreceiving a number and determining its destination to be minimized.

In an exemplary embodiment, when a virtual number is received by a firstintermediate point, the call may be routed from the first intermediatepoint to a second intermediate point that is within the local callingarea of the destination telephone. The second intermediate point thendirects the call to the destination telephone. The two intermediatepoints can direct a call to any destination number, regardless of thedistance between the two telephones. This allows a user to access a longdistance telephone using only a local virtual phone number, and providesthe advantage of reducing the cost of the call.

Information may be transmitted on the originating and destinationnetworks in any manner known to those skilled in the art. This mayinclude, but is not limited to, information in analog or digital format.Additionally, any type of information may be transmitted between the twopoints on the originating and destination networks. This may include,but is not limited to, voice, data, or facsimile transmissions.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a set of routersdistributed at different geographical areas. Each router is operativelyconnected to a computer network such that they are capable ofcommunicating with each other. Each of the routers are preferablyoperatively connected to one or more originating or destination networksto receive and process telephone calls.

The router is preferably capable of providing an interface between acentral office and the computer network. This may include, but is notlimited to, converting data into a format capable of transmission overthe computer network. In one embodiment, the router may comprise anycomputing device known to those skilled in the art. For example, in someembodiments the router may comprise a processor, such as a computer.Alternately, the router may comprise a router that is modified tointerpret phone numbers and convert voice signals into data packets. Inother embodiments, the router may comprise a server, or proxy server.

In one embodiment, the router receives and interpret a virtual phonenumber transmitted from an originating network. After processing a phonenumber to determine its destination, the router connects to anotherrouter that is connected to the destination network. Once a connectionis established between the originating and destination routers, theoriginating router converts the voice data into data packets using adesired protocol, for example, VoIP or VoP. Preferably, the process ofconverting the voice signals into data packets is performed on areal-time, continuous basis. Each router can also be capable ofconverting the data packets back into voice data on a real-time,continuous basis. Such conversion, however, need not be performed by therouter.

Data conversion on a real-time, continuous basis allows data to betransmitted between the originating and destination networks and thecomputer network with a substantially minimal amount of delay. Thisprovides the advantage of allowing the originating and destination userto communicate with substantially minimal audible distortion. This alsoallows the two users to communicate over long distances while minimizingthe cost of the call.

In one embodiment, a virtual phone number is assigned to a phone numberon the destination network (“physical number”). The virtual phone numberis assigned to a local router, such as a proxy server. This may be doneby updating the memory that stores the virtual numbers and the physicalnumber that they are assigned to. Each virtual phone number serves as aalias for, and directs calls to, a destination physical number. Thevirtual phone number does not exist on any physical device on theoriginating or destination network. Thus, calls do not have to be routedthrough any physical device on the originating or destination networks,which reduces the complexity and costs of routing a call.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of an exemplary systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1,user 101 places a call to user 103. In order to do so, user 101 dialsthe virtual number that is assigned to the physical number of user 103.As shown in FIG. 1, user 101 dials the number, “202-424-1382.” This is alocal call for user 101, and allows the user 101 to access router 105.In order to direct the phone call to the appropriate destination, router105 communicates with a routing table 107. Preferably, routing table 107is included in router 105. However, in some embodiments it may be aseparate element, or part of another element can communicate with router105.

The router 105 communicates with the routing table 107 to determinewhich call router 109 the virtual phone number “202-424-1382”corresponds to. In this exemplary embodiment, the routing table includesthe physical number that is assigned to the virtual number andinformation that instructs router 105 to connect to a second router 109.The routing table determines which router 109 to connect to based on theproximity of router 109 to user 103. The router 109 that is chosen ispreferably within the local calling area of user 103, and may bepositioned closest to user 103.

Once this is determined, router 105 transfers the call to router 109 viaa computer network 111. When the call is transferred from router 105 torouter 109, the virtual numbers, or its equivalents, are included in thetransmitted information. When the call reaches router 109, the router109 communicates with the routing table 113 to determine whatdestination number the virtual number is assigned to. Based on thiscommunication, router 109 determines that the destination phone numberis “732-528-2603,” which corresponds with user 103. A connection is thenestablished between router 109 and user 103. The connection may include,but is not limited to, a connection via, for example, the Internetprotocol. Once the connection is established, user 101 and user 103 cancommunicate without incurring typical long distance charges.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, multiple virtual numbers 201 maybe assigned to a physical number. In this embodiment, each router 105 ina different geographical area may have a different virtual number.Alternately, each router 105 may be accessed using a plurality ofvirtual numbers. Each virtual number preferably allows an originatinguser 101 to dial a number within their local area code in order toaccess a single destination user 103. This provides the advantage ofallowing users in different geographical locations to communicate withuser 103 while only dialing a local number. In this embodiment, themultiple users 101 may communicate with user 103 simultaneously orindependently.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, one or more virtual numbers may beassigned to multiple physical numbers 301. In other words, a virtualnumber may be used to call more than one physical number 301. The callsmay be directed to their assigned physical number 301 in any desiredmanner, as described below.

In one embodiment the virtual number may be assigned such that theserver 109 rings the physical devices 301 all at once, or one at a time.Information regarding the order of routing may be stored in the routingtable 113. If all of the devices ring at the same time, then the call isrouted to the physical number 301 that answers first. If each phone 301rings one at a time, the user has the option of rolling over to the nextphysical number in a random order or sequentially by a predefined order.

A virtual number that is assigned to a physical device may be changedupon a users request. This can be done quickly and with minimal cost byreprogramming the routing table, such as routing table 107 shown inFIG. 1. Preferably, this change can be done with minimal manualintervention. However, in some embodiments a router may be reprogrammedmanually.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in theart that the invention is capable of a variety of alternativeembodiments within the spirit of the appended claims.

1. A method for transmitting information between two or more points, comprising: receiving a virtual number at a first intermediate point from at least one originating point, the at least one originating point operatively connected to an originating network, and the first intermediate point operatively connected to a packet-based network; converting the virtual number into at least one physical number; determining a second intermediate point based on the at least one physical number, the second intermediate point operatively connected to the packet-based network; determining at least one destination point based on the at least one physical number; and, transmitting information between the at least one originating point and the at least one destination point; wherein the originating network is selected from the group consisting of: the public switched telephone network and a packet-based network.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises establishing a communication path via a router between the first intermediate point and the at least one originating point.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the converting further comprises: interpreting the virtual phone number at the router; communicating with a routing table, and; determining a physical number from the routing table.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the determining at least one destination point further comprises: selecting a destination router based on the routing table; determining routing instructions corresponding to the destination router based on the routing table, and; establishing a communication path between the router and the destination router.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the destination router is in a local calling area of the at least one destination point.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises establishing a communication path via an analog-to-digital converter between the first intermediate point and the at least one originating point.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the converting further comprises converting analog voice data into packets using a standard network protocol.
 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the standard network protocol is Internet Protocol.
 9. A method for transmitting information between two or more points, comprising: receiving a virtual number at a first intermediate point from at least one originating point, the first intermediate point operatively connected to a packet-based network; converting the virtual number into at least one physical number; determining a second intermediate point based on the at least one physical number, the second intermediate point operatively connected to the packet-based network; determining at least one destination point based on the at least one physical number; and, transmitting information between the at least one originating point and the at least one destination point; wherein the at least one destination point is operatively connected to a network selected from the group consisting of: a public switched telephone network and a packet-based network.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the determining at least one destination point comprises establishing a communication path via a router between the at least one destination point and the second intermediate point.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the determining at least one destination point further comprises: communicating with a routing table; selecting the router based on the routing table; determining routing instructions corresponding to the router based on the routing table, and; establishing a communication path between the first intermediate point and the router.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the router is in a local calling area of the at least one destination point.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the determining at least one destination point comprises establishing a communication path via a digital-to-analog converter between the at least one destination point and the second intermediate point.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transmitting comprises converting packets into analog voice data using the digital to analog converter.
 15. An apparatus for transmitting information between at least two points, comprising: a first intermediate point operatively connected to at least one originating point to receive a virtual number, wherein the virtual number is converted into at least one physical number; a second intermediate point capable of communicating with the first intermediate point over a computer network; at least one destination point operatively connected to the second intermediate point, wherein the second intermediate point is determined based on its proximity to the at least one destination point; and, wherein the virtual number comprises a toll-free number.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one physical number comprises a country code, wherein the country code is outside a local calling area of the at least one originating point and within a local calling area of the at least one destination point.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second intermediate point is within the local calling area of the at least one destination point.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a memory operatively connected to the first and second intermediate points, wherein the memory stores an assignment of the virtual number to the second intermediate point, the at least one physical number and the at least one destination point.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the memory is a routing table.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first and second intermediate points comprise routers.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first and second intermediate point routers are accessible to a plurality of virtual numbers.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein information is transmitted over the computer network based on packets.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein information is transmitted to and from the originating and destination points based on analog signals.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first and second intermediate points are capable of analog to digital conversion and digital to analog conversion.
 25. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one originating point and the at least one destination point comprise telephones operatively connected to the public switching telephone network.
 26. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one originating point and the at least one destination point comprise telephones operatively connected to a packet network. 